In today's world, there are many ways you can overdraw your account.
- Paper checks
- ATM withdrawals
- Debit card purchases
- Electronic debts
- Automated bill payment
When does an overdraft fee make sense?
- To avoid other fees or penalties on returned checks charged by stores, utilities, landlords, and mortgage companies.
- To maintain uninterrupted service on key services such as insurance and phone.
When are overdraft fees a bad idea?
- The $40 hamburger when a $5 debit card transaction is automatically approved even if there is not enough money in your account. The result is a charge for the hamburger and a fee for overdrawing your account.
- Keep records: Online or on paper, keep track of every transaction and monitor your account with home banking.
- Alerts: If possible, set up your account to text or e-mail you when your balance gets too low for comfort.
- Cushions: Keep a cash cushion in your account to allow for errors or emergencies.
- Link to a back-up account. Set up a savings or money market account at the same financial institution and link it to your checking account to cover possible overdrafts.
- Get an overdraft protection loan with no per item fees. Account should have a "credit card like" interest rate. Pay off the loan as soon as possible to minimize your finances charges. This option will cost you a lot less than paying a fee for each NSF item.
- Close the Gate: Stop in your branch and request that bounce protection be removed from your account. Many financial institutions will do this if you ask, but first make sure you understand ALL the implications. In addition to cutting the debit card off when you're at the store and low on funds, will it also refuse to allow bounced checks and other transactions?
Managing "Invisible" Money: Unlike yesteryear when check registers and cold cash provided us with a hands-on approach to money management, today's immediate spending with ATM and debit cards present challenges that require the different skill of managing "invisible" money.
Last Resort Option: If you know that money management is a personal strength, then maybe it's time to eliminate altogether the risk of accumulating needless fees.
What changes are taking place at your bank? The playing field is always changing. Earlier this week, two of the nation's biggest banks, announced plans on to overhaul their debit card programs by lowering or eliminating fees, changing the way transactions are credited and allowing customers to opt out of overdraft protection. Stay current to changes scheduled to take place at your bank.
